Adjustable anchor block for slip switches



' 1,514,206 B. T. GIBBS. JR

2 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 4 y1924.

ADJUSTABJE: ANCHOR BLOCK FOR SLIP SWITCHES Filed July 51 1924 Nov. 4 1924. 1,514,206

. B. T. Glass, JR

' ADJUSTABLE :ANCHOR BLOCK FOR SLIP SWITCHES Filed July 5l 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .Patented Nov. 4, i924,

BENEDICT T. GIBBS, JR., C CHICAGO HEIGHTS, I'LLINQIS, ASSIGNOR T0 .ll/[ORDEN FROG @c CROSSING WORKS, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINGIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

ADJUSTABLE ANCHOR BLOCK FOR-SLIP SWITCHES.

Application ler July 81, 1924.

To all whom t may concern f Be it known that I, BENEDICT T. Gines., Jr., a citizen ofthe United States, residing at Chicago Heights. in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a cer-v tain new and useful Improvement krin Adjustable Anchor Blocks for Slip Switches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to anchor blocks for positively securing adjacent, spaced, movable track parts in predetermined position with reference to each other. It is especially applicable to the movable jointsr of switch points in slip switches where it is necessary that all the track parts be constantly maintained in proper relation tol each other, notwithstanding heavy wear c011- stantly taking place. j The object of the invention is to. provide an anchor block which is itself internally adjustable to correct errors in adjacent track, and to keep the proper gauge and alignment of said track at all times, as well as a me chanically tight joint of said movable parts when greatly worn from excessive use.

The invention consists of means for attaining the foregoing and other objects, which can be easily and comparatively7 cheaply made, which is satisfactory in use and is not readily liableto get out of order. More particularly, the invention consists'in numerous features and details of construction which will be hereafter more fully set forth in the specification and claims.

Referring to the drawings in which like numerals refer to the same parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a conventional, complicated railroad crossing, technically known as a slip-switch, to which this invention may be applied with satisfactory results. Y i

Figure 2 is an enlarged, plan view of the block of this invention.

Figure 3 is a sectional viewl on the line 3 3 of Figure 2. f

Figure l is a perspective view of an adjusting wedge.

Figure 5 is a still more enlarged plan view, on the line 5-5 of Figure 6, of the block of this invention. i y

Serial No. 729,399.

Figure 6 isa longitudinal, sectional view von the line 6-6 of Figure 5. f

Figure 7 is a sectionalvk end view on the are bent connecting rails 23 and 24 to whoseL ends are pivoted switchpoints 25, k26, 27 and 28. Inside of the bent connecting rails are straight connecting rails 31, 32, 33 andy 34, connecting at Vtheir outer ends (beyond the figure) kto an ordinary frog,.which is in turn connected to the inner rails of the main tracks, .referred to. On the inner ends of these straight `connecting rails `3l, 32, 33 and 34 are pivoted movable switch-points 35, 36. 37 and 38. Inside'of the mechanism just described are the curved connecting rails 40 and 42 having pivoted to their ends switch points 43414- and 46. The switch-points 25k and 44 are connected together by switch rod 48, which permits of their being moved together.` In a similar manner vswitch-points .43 and 26 are connected by switchV rod 50, switcl1-points 27 and 46 by switch-rod 52 and switch-points 45 and 28 by switch-rod 54.

In the crossing at the points indicated in Figure l are fouranchor blocks of this invention, 56-57-58and 59. These blocks are identical in construction and therefore only one, specifically block 58, will be described.

In. normal use, block 5S performs the function of anchoringtrack members 23-27 to track members 33-3'7. It is made up of two substantially identical U-shaped sections 62 and 64 placed with their faces 96 and 1l() against the respective rail parts just named, theyupper or free ends of the U members being pointedtoward each other as shown with wedge 66 between one pair of U arms of members 62 and 64 and wedge 68 between the other opposed pair of U arms. The wedges are provided with elongated slots 70 through which passfbolts 72 or 7a, as the case may be, onwhich the wedges slide along the inclined surfaces 74 on the adjacent iirec U arm ends of blocks 62 and 64. Bolts 72 detachably connect, through the wedge 68, one pair of such opposed U arms and bolts 74 similarly connect the opposite pair of arms through wedge 66.

Wedges 66 and 68 are preferably but not necessarily pointed toward each other so that as either wedge is driven in between block sections 62 and 64 to widen the space between the track parts, the wedge noses 78 and 80 project more and more into the open space 82 at the center of the block and lock pins 84 and 86 can be inserted in selected available holes 88 and 90 in the respective wedges with the pins 84 and 86 bearing against opposite walls 92 and 94 of the opening 82. j

Face 96 of block section 62 carriesl bolts 98 which pass through track parts 16 and 23 and one end spacing block 100 to hold these parts together as shown and, similarly, bolts 102 connect flange 96, track parts 20 and 27 and the intervening part o block 100. To

facilitate the normall swinging movement of switchv point 27, a thimble 106 (Fig. 6) is provided on at least one bolt 102 and a clearance Ispace 108 is provided as shown in Figure 6. between flange 96 and switch point 27. In similar manner, block section 64 is provided witha face flange 110 connected by l bolts'r112yto track parts 37 and 40 and one end of spacing block 114. Likewise, bolts 116, connectilange 110, track parts 33 and 45 and the opposite end of spacing block 114.

In operation, a block, as 58, isassembled in track as sho-wn, the wedges 66 and 68 being `adjusted to bring the track parts connected to that particular block into normal usable position. When wear takes place, thus making the crossing loose and out of alignment, bolts 7 2 and 74 are yloosened enough so wedges 66 and 68 can be driven to new positions which will properly adjust the track parts on opposite sides of the block with reference to each other, whereupon, the bolts 72 and 74 are tightened and the pins 84 and 86 are placed in proper new holes 90 and 88, whereupon the track parts controlled by the particular block are again ready orsafe, normal use.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

' 1. As an article of manufacture, a track anchor block made in two separate sections, adjacent each other, means for securing track parts to opposite edges of the block and means between the block parts detachably adjusting said block parts to selectively control the distance between the track carrying edges of the block.

f2. As an yarticle of manufacture, a track anchor block made in two separate sections, adjacent each other, Vmeans for securing track parts to opposite edges of the block and a wedge between the block parts detachably adjusting said block parts to selectively control the distance between the track carrying edges: of the block.

3. As an article of manufacture, a track anchor block made in two separate sections, adjacent each other, means for securing track parts to opposite edges of the block and a pair of wedges between the block parts detachably adjusting said block parts to Selectively control the distance between the track carrying edges of the block.

4. As an article of manufacture, a track anchor block made in two separate sections adjacent. each other, means Jfor securing track parts to opposite edges of the blockand a pair of wedges pointed toward each other between the block parts Vdetachably adjusting said block parts to selectively control the distance between the track carrying edgesv of the block.

v5. As an article oi manufacture', a track anchor block made in two separate sections, adjacent each other, means for securing track parts to opposite edges of the block, and a wedge between the block parts ydetachably adj ust-ing said block parts to selectively control the distance between the track carrying edges ci theblock, the wedge being pro-l vided with elongated slot and bolt connection between opposite block sections.

6. As an article of. manufacture, a track anchor block Vmade in two separate sections, adjacent each other, means for securing track parts to opposite edges of the block and a pair of wedges between the block parts detachably adjusting said block parts to selectivelyv control the distance between the track carrying edges of the block, the wedges being provided with elongated slot and bolt connection between opposite block sections.

7. As an article or manufacture, a track anchor block made in two separate sections adjacent each other, means for securing rack parts to opposite edges of the block and a pair! of wedges pointed toward each other between the block parts detachably adjusting said block parts to selectively control the distance between the track carrying edges of the block, the wedges being providedy with elongated slot and bolt connection between opposite block sections.

8. As an article of manufacture, a track anchor block made in two separate sections, adjacent each other, means for securing track parts to opposite edges of the block, a wedge between the block parts detachably adjusting said block parts to selectively control the distance between the track 'carrying edges of the block, and a transversely movable pin selectively locking the wedge against longitudinal movement.

9. AS an article of manufacture, a track anchor block made in two separate sections,

adjacent each other, means for securing tion between opposite block sections, and a Y track parts t0 opposite edges of the block7 a transversely movable pin selectively locking wedge between the block parts detachably the wedge against longitudinal movement. 10 adjustincr said block parts to selectively conn witness whereof, I have hereunto sub- 5 trol the ,distance between the track carrying scribed my name.

edges of the block, the wedge being prof vided with elongated slot and bolt conne'c- BENEDICT T. GIBBS, JR. 

